Recording apparatus



March 23, 1943. I Q HE AN TAL 2,314,371

.RECORDING APPARATUS Filed July 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ma.rch 23, 1943.

J. Q. SHERMAN ET AL RECORDING APPARATUS Filed July 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 C/OHN Q. SHEEN/UV A/METZ/VEE ATTORNE Patented Mar. 23, 1943 RECORDING APPARATUS deceased, late of Dayton,

John Quirk Sherman, Ohio, by

Sherman,

Katherine M. Sherman,

and Wellmore B. Turner,

William C. executors,

Dayton, Ohio, and Albert W. Metzner, Dayton,

Ohio; said Metzner assignor William C. Sherman,

M. Sherman,

to said Katherine and Wellmore B. Turner, executors of said John Quirk Sherman, deceased Application July 21, 1941, Serial No. 403,292

4 Claims.

This invention pertains to writing and recording apparatus for producing plural copies of inscribed indioia, and more particularly to strip feeding means for advancing superposed strips of material in synchronism through proportionate distances in paths of travel at right angles to each other.

For illustrative purposes, but with no intent to unduly limit the scope or application of the invention, it is herein shown and described as embodied in an autographic register, but it is to be understood that the novel features may be embodied in other writing, imprinting and recording machines.

In production of manifold copies in autographic registers and analogous mechanisms, it is necessary that the carbon or transfer material be progressively renewed coincident with the writing position as the surface thereof becomes worn and the communicable pigment depleted. In autographic registers it has been common to intermittently draw a fresh supply of transfer material into writing position by hand operation. Such renewal of the transfer surface was not in any way synchronized with the use thereof or with the advancement of the record material. In the present instance, the carbon or transfer material is automatically advanced in synchronism with the advancement of the record material, but by relatively small increments whereby each portion of the transfer material is subjected to repeated use before being advanced entirely beyondthe range of the writing area. That is to say, for each advancement of the record material a full form length, or other prescribed distance, the carbon or transfer material is advanced transversely to the record material through a prescribed step of lesser extent.

While for illustrative purposes the invention is herein shown embodied in an autographic register and adapted to feeding transfer strips, it may also be embodied in other recording mechanisms, and may be adapted to feeding one or more record strips through relatively short stepby-step movements transversely of another record strip which is advanced through greater degrees of movement, as for example a detail strip which is adapted to receive thereon only a part of the record made on the overlying main record strip. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment illustrated, w ch is here shown with no intent of unduly limiting the scope of application of the invention.

The present application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 536,810, filed May 12, 1931, and the copending division thereof, Serial No. 218,986 filed July 13, 1938, which applications contain the identical disclosure of present Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, and Figs. 9, 10 and 11 differ therefrom only by inclusion of the same mechanism in a different cabinet. The subject matter of the present claims is that shown in the two prior applications-and is entitled to the effective filing date May 12, 1931, of the original application.

- The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of strip feeding mechanisms adapted to simultaneously advance superposed strips of materialin transverse directions, which may not only be economically manufactured and installed, but will be efficient in use, automatic in operation, uniform in action, comparatively simple in construction and operation, having few operating parts, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide strip feeding means for advancing a continuous strip of material through a predetermined range of movement by the advancement of a different strip of material in a transverse direction through a different range of movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for transmitting a feeding impulse to one strip of material at a predetermined stage in the advancement of an associated strip of material.

A further object of the invention is to provide differential strip feeding means for differentially advancing plural strips of material in transverse directions in synchronism with each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dual strip feeding mechanism having the advantageous structural features and inherent meritorious' characteristics and distinctive mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the invention as applied to an autographic register, but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment thereof,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of an autographic register embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail View of the actuating means for the transverse strip feeding device.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the mounting of the transverse feeding means.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the main strip feeding and hold-down devices.

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a detail top plan view and a front elevation of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a motor driven desk or counter autographic register in which the present invention is embodied.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view on line Ill-417 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the motion transmitting means, by which one feeding device is actuated by the operation of the other.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the apparatus is enclosed in a case or housing I, to a portion of which a swinging frame 2 is pivoted at 3, and carries a writing tablet 4. The housing or cabinet I is divided by a wall 5 into a supply compartment 6 for a packet I of superfolded record strips 8, and a receiving compartment 9 into which one of the strips is refolded after being inscribed. The record strips 8 are withdrawn from the compartment 6 over individual guide rollers I0 mounted in the swinging frame 2, and thence in superposed relation over the writing tablet'l by a pair of pin wh els I I. connected by a sleeve I2 mounted on a transverse shaft I3 journaled in the housing walls I. The

pin wheels II are provided with spaced radial pins which progressively engage in marginally punched holes I4 in the record strips 8. The pin wheels are of suflicient size to advance the record strips one form length at each rotation. The top of the swinging frame beyond the writing tablet 4 is slotted coincident with the pin wheels II, through which slots the feeding pins project into engagement in the holes I4 of the record strips. Secured to the sleeve I2 and rotating in unison with the pin wheels II is a pair of discs I5 having therein marginal notches I6.

Beyond the writing tablet 4 and pin wheels I I, the top of the swinging frame is curved upwardly forming a paper guide or chute. On the rearward side of the curved upper end of the frame is a pair of lugs I1 which support a transverse rod I3. A rock shaft I 9 mounted in the housing carries a pair of hook-shaped rock arms which are spring pressed into latching engagement with the rod I8 to lock the swinging frame in its depressed position. Extending forwardly of the curved extension of the swinging frame 2 is a pair of lugs 2| which support a rock shaft 22 carrying a pair of rock arms 23, each of which in turn carries a roller 24 positioned to ride upon the peripheries of the discs I5. The arms and rollers 24 are urged toward the discs by a spring 25 upon the rock shaft 22, as shown in Fig, 8.

These pin wheels II are inter- The notches I5 in the discs I5 are so placed that the rollers 24 engage therein at the limit of each rotation to temporarily yieldingly hold the discs in such position, at the end of each strip feeding operation.

The rock arms 23 also carry a paper guide or hold-down and tear-off blade 26, which is slotted at 21' for clearance of the pin wheels over which the bar or blade is positioned when depressed. The bar 26 is formed with a lengthwise head or convex face 28, which overlies the superposed record strips and exerts a non-binding pressure thereon to hold the paper in engagement with the pin wheels during rotation of the pin wheels and advancement of the strips across the writing tablet 4.

However, when the rollers 24 descend into the peripheral notches I6 in the discs I5, the bead or convex face 28 of the bar 26 descends into temporary clamping engagement with the record strips, and holds them in adjusted position while at least a portion thereof are being torn off against the sharpened rear edge of the bar.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the hub of one of the arms 23 is provided with a shoulder 29, which when the arm is raised to the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 5, engages beneath a latch 30 to hold the plate or bar 26 and the rollers 24 in elevated position While a new set of record strips are being installed in the register and interengaged with the pin wheels. The rock shaft 22 which carries the arms 23 also supports a curved separator or deflector plate 3| which extends substantially tangential with the curved paper guide extension of the swinging frame 2, and serves to direct one of the record strips beneath the deflector 3| and thence into the receiving compartment of the housing, and the remaining strips are directed over the forward face of such deflector plate out of the cabinet.

For the purpose of providing duplicate copies of records inscribed on the topmost record strip, strips of transfer material are interleaved in transverse relation between the record strips 8.

'In accordance with the present invention, such interleaved transverse strips, whether transfer material or additional record strips, are automatically advanced through successive steps simultaneously with the advancement of the main record strips 8 by rotation of the pin wheels II.

As shown in Fig. 1, the swinging frame 2 is provided at one side with parallel spaced brackets 32 and 33, in which are journaled shafts 34 upon which are wound rolls 35 of transfer material or additional record material, as the case may be. The supply rolls 35 are detachably retained in engagement with the supporting brackets by springs 33 interposed between the end of each roll and the adjacent bracket.

The feeding means for the transverse strips is disposed at the opposite side of the swinging frame 2, within a depressed recess having an L- shaped side and bottom wall 31 and end walls 38. Mounted in the end walls 38 of the feed mechanism compartment is a shaft 39 upon which are mounted a plurality of relatively spaced toothed pinions 40. Mounted in swinging arms 4! pivoted at 42 near the bottom of the recess or compartment is a second shaft 43, extending parallel with the pinion shaft 33. The second shaft 43 also carries a plurality of spaced toothed pinions 44 which intermesh with the pinions 40, into engagement with which they are yieldingly pressed by springs 45 engaging the swinging arms 4 I.

The advanced ends of the transverse strips are sets of toothed pinions the arms 41 against the tension of the springs 45. The transverse strips being gripped between the respective sets of toothed pinions, as the latter are rotated the strips are progressively advanced.

If only transfer material strips are tobe thus fed, the effective surface of which will have been exhausted before reaching the pinions, the material thus fed is only waste and the crimping of the strips as they pass between the intermeshing pinions is immaterial. The feed shaft 39 receiving partial rotation at each operation of the pin wheels I I by which the primary strips are advanced one form length, the longitudinal and transverse strips are advanced differentially, the former through greater and the latter through lesser movements.

While various means may be employed for transmitting motion from one feeding mechanism to the other, there is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 a simple but efficient means for so doing. In such mechanism a ratchet wheel 45 is mounted on the feed shaft 39. Also pivoted on the shaft 39 concentric with the ratchet wheel 46, is an oscillatory lever 41 which carries a spring pressed pawl 48 having engagement with the ratchet wheel 46 to advance the latter and with it the shaft 39 through a partial rotation at each oscillation of the lever. Mounted on the sleeve 12 adjacent to one of the pin wheels II and cam disc I5 is a collar 49, which carries a radially projecting stud or finger 50. At each rotation of the pin wheel H, and with it the collar 49, the stud 50 engages the end 41 of the lever 41, thereby elevating the lever 41 against the tension of a retracting spring 5!, and carrying with it the pawl 48 which advances the ratchet wheel and shaft 39 through a corresponding degree of movement. A second pawl 52 engages the ratchet wheel to prevent return motion of the ratchet wheel and shaft. The opposite end of the actuating lever 41 is extended at 41" to enable the strips to be manually advanced, if desired, by manipulation of such lever. The interconnected strip feeding mechanisms may be actuated either manually by a crank handle applied to the shaft l3 or by an actuating motor connected thereto.

In Fig. 9 the apparatus is shown enclosed in a fiat, desk type register cabinet having therein a compartment 53 in which is located-a driving motor 54. The motor is connected with the drive shaft 13 through a speed reduction unit 55 and is controlled by a non-repeat energizing switch inserted between the and 44, by retracting by which the motor is caused to actuate the shaft l3 and pin wheels I l through one complete rotation and come to rest at the end of such operation. The use of one-time, non-repeat actuating means for operating a register mechanism through a single cycle of operation is quite well known in this art, and forms no part, per se, of the present invention, and hence is not herein illustrated.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred 'form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and. valid scope of the appended claims.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, we claim:

'1. An autographic register, including a compartment for a packet of plural zigzag interfolded superposed printed record strips, a revoluble pin type feeding device having progressive simultaneous engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in the plural record strips for advancing the strips in unison and presenting corresponding printed areas of the superposed record strips in registry with each other and in record receiving position, a writing tablet over which the record strips are advanced by the pin wheel, a second strip feeding device for progressively advancing at least one strip of transfer material transversely of the record strips and in interleaved relation therewith, *a pawl and ratchet actuating means for the second strip feeding device, a traveling trip member moving inunison with the pin type feeding device having operative engagement with the pawl and ratchet mechanism for actuating the latter to effect intermittent feeding movement of the transfer strip.

2. A recording apparatus, including a pin type feeding device having progressive engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in each of a plurality of superposed printed record strips for duo-functionally advancing the strips in unison and presenting corresponding printed areas of the plural strips in registry with each other and with a record receiving position, an additional strip feeding device operative to advance at least one strip of transfer material transversely of the record strips in interleaved relation therewith, pawl and ratchet actuating mechanism for said additional strip feeding device, an oscillatory lever carrying the pawl of said actuating mechanism and means for intermittently oscillating said lever by the actuation of the pin type feeding device.

3. In a recording apparatus, a pin type strip feeding device having progressive engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in plural superposed strips of record material for progressively advancing the strips in unison past a record receiving position and simultaneously presenting prescribed imprinted areas thereof in registry with each other and in alignment with the record receiving position, an additional strip feed-, ing device for progressively advancing at least one strip of transfer material transversely of the record strips in interleaved. relation therewith comprising relatively adjustable spring biased strip engaging means between which the transfer strip is engaged under pressure, a'ctuating means therefor including a pawl and ratchet, an oscillatory lever upon which the pawl is carried, and means for intermittently oscillating said lever in synchronism with actuation of the pin type feeding device, the construction and arrangement being such that the transfer strip is differentially advanced relative to the record strip through lesser distances.

4. In a recording apparatus wherein plural strips of material are advanced in transverse paths of travel past a record receiving position,

a pin type feeding device having progressive engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in at least one of the strips for advancing the strip predetermined distances past the record receiving position and for arresting the advanced strip with a succeeding predetermined area thereof in record receiving position, and an additional strip feeding means including a pair of rotary members mounted on parallel axes between which at least one other of the strips is engaged, a

pawl and ratchet actuating means for the rotary 10 feeding members, an operating lever therefor 

